Our Lord’s Healing of a Paralyzed Man at the Pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-9

Lesson 19

background notes

doctrinal / teaching points
1. The healing of the paralyzed man fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah.

2. The healing of the paralyzed man pictures the salvation of mankind.

 

practical applications
1. “Do you want to be made well?”  John 5:6

2. “Pick up your bed and walk.”  John 5:8

 

questions
1. What was this about the stirring of the waters by an angel?

2. This is the third of Jesus’ miracles. What were the first two?

3. Why did John choose to write about the miracles of the Lord Jesus?

4. How is this miracle in line with Messianic prophecy?

5. How does the healing of the paralyzed man picture the salvation of mankind?

answers
1. The people believed that the first one into the water after the stirring of the waters would be healed. There is some question about this, for in the earliest copies of John’s gospel, the fourth verse is missing.

2. The changing of the water to wine and the healing of the nobleman’s son

3. To prove to readers that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God

4. See Isaiah 35:5-6.

5. The man is unable to help himself; he can’t walk; he has no strength; his friends can’t help. All hope is gone. Without Christ, man is paralyzed by sin; he cannot save himself; friends cannot help him. There is no hope apart from Christ. In grace, the Lord came to the man. In the same way, the Lord Jesus comes to us, and by His sovereign grace, we are healed. The healing was immediate and complete, and so is salvation.

 

discuss / consider
1. Consider the people today who say “No” to the Lord’s offer of healing (salvation). How could you help them understand their need and exercise faith in the Lord’s offer?

2. How are you showing the joy of the freedom that you have from the penalty and power of sin?

 

challenge
Are you guilty at times of lying on your bed of self-pity, doubt or lack of faith? Remember that you have the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to deal with your problems.

memorize

• “Do you want to be made well?”  John 5:6

  “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”  John 5:8

  “Immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”  John 5:9